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United star 'surprised' by Arsenal: We'll be able to get three points

Manchester United defender also calls on the club's supporters to act like the 12th man in a vital game.

Despite conceding that he never expected Arsenal to be the pace-setters of the Premier League this season, Manchester United defender Phil Jones is hopeful that the club can take maximum points when the two giants of English football compete at Old Trafford this afternoon, Sunday.

After ten games, Arsenal have lost just once - an opening day blip against Aston Villa, and have since accumulated 25 points. If Arsene Wenger oversees a victory against last season's champions today, then the club will restore a five point cushion at the top of the table, ahead of second-placed Liverpool.

Much of Arsenal's fantastic form is down to the net-busting consistency of Aaron Ramsey, the versatility of spearheading striker Olivier Giroud, the immediate adaption of summer signing Mesut Ozil, the return of Mathieu Flamini and the defensive might of imposing and intelligent duo Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny.

'I have been surprised,' Jones admitted to the club's official website. 'I think everyone has. I don’t think we expected it at the start of the season but they have done really well and hopefully we will be able to break them down. They will be filled with confidence after a great win in Dortmund during the week, but this is a different game with a completely different atmosphere.'

United, in contrast to Arsenal, have suffered a stuttering start to their campaign having already lost thrice, two of which occurred at The Theatre of Dreams. In order to provide their best chance of success, Jones has called on the club's supporters to be at their vocal best, so that they can create a hostile atmosphere for Arsenal to play in.

Jones said: 'Hopefully Old Trafford will be rocking on Sunday and we will be able to get the three points. These are the fixtures you look out for when the fixture list is announced at the start of the season and with Arsenal being in form at the moment, they are probably the team to beat. It will be a difficult game but hopefully we can get the win.'